CROSS RIVER , CALABAR – Alphonsus Ogar Eba has formally withdrawn the suit he instituted at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, challenging decisions affecting the All Progressives Congress leadership in Cross River State.
Court documents show that the discontinuance followed a Notice of Discontinuance dated January 16, 2026, and filed pursuant to Order 23 Rule 1 of the FCT High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2025.
The suit, marked CV/5197/25, listed the All Progressives Congress as first defendant, alongside Ekum Ekok Ojogu and Patrick Asikpo Okon, sued for themselves and on behalf of the party’s executive council.
The Independent National Electoral Commission was joined as the fourth defendant in the action, which arose from internal party disputes over the legitimacy of the Cross River State APC executive leadership.
In the notice, the claimant stated that he “wholly withdraws and discontinues this suit as presently constituted against all the defendants herein,” effectively bringing the legal action to an end.
The notice was signed by a team of senior and junior lawyers led by Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, of Legaltuxedo & Associates, with Mustapha Kunle Lawal, Chimuanya Eustacia Umeozor, and others appearing as counsel.
Legal observers note that a notice of discontinuance, once properly filed, terminates proceedings without a determination on the substantive issues raised before the court.
Sources close to the matter explained that the withdrawal also covered interim orders earlier granted in favour of the claimant during the pendency of the dispute.
Reacting publicly, Eba described the decision as a deliberate choice guided by faith, consultation, and the overriding interest of party unity and stability.
“After due consideration of all the pleas from our leaders, true friends and family members, I have come to the conclusion that it will be pleasing to God to let peace, love, unity and growth reign in APC,” he stated.
He warned that prolonged internal conflicts could return the party to the 2019 scenario, when legal disagreements undermined the validity and legitimacy of candidates in Cross River State.
Eba further disclosed that he had formally accepted the decision of the APC National Executive Committee reached on December 19, 2025, which nullified the October 16, 2021 State Executive Committee.
That committee decision had earlier produced him as chairman of the APC in Cross River State, a position that became the subject of intense internal contestation and litigation.
“Henceforth, I cease to be called APC Chairman of Cross River State,” Eba declared, signalling an end to his claim to the office.
Despite relinquishing the position, he stressed that his loyalty to the party remains intact, describing himself as “a committed member of the APC.”
Truth live news correspondents reports that as evidence of continued membership, he announced that he had revalidated his APC registration and obtained a temporary membership slip issued by the party.
Party records accompanying the announcement show his registration in Echumofana Ward, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, dated January 15, 2026.
He urged existing members to revalidate their membership and called on intending members to register, framing the exercise as essential to party rebuilding and cohesion.
Eba linked his decision to personal reflections on leadership, faith, and political service, citing biblical passages to underscore his perspective on closure and renewal.
“It is gratifying that God saw me through my four-year tenure to the end in peace. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith,” he said.
He described his political journey of over 15 years as a “worthy political battle,” noting that it had taken him from what he termed “the perigee to the apogee” of his career.
Political analysts say the withdrawal removes a major legal obstacle that had threatened to prolong uncertainty within the APC structure in Cross River State.
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A party source in Abuja noted that the acceptance of the NEC decision could pave the way for smoother reconciliation and internal reorganisation ahead of future electoral cycles.
In his statement, Eba also announced a shift in focus from partisan leadership battles to professional and economic engagements.
“I have therefore returned to my full legal practice, my farm business and other businesses,” he said, outlining plans to concentrate on non-partisan development initiatives.
He revealed that he would devote more time to revitalising the natural rubber sub-sector, where he currently serves as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Rubber Research Institute, Benin.
According to him, the move represents a transition from what he called “political evangelism to economic evangelism,” emphasising productivity and sectoral growth.
Eba pledged continued loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the national leadership of the APC, and the Cross River State governor.
“I pledge my continued commitment and loyalty to our amiable President, H.E. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the National Chairman of our great party, Prof. Nentawe Yiwaltda, and our amiable Governor, H.E. Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu,” he stated.
He also appealed to party members and supporters to extend cooperation and support to those who will succeed him in leadership roles within the state chapter.
Legal practitioners note that the discontinuance forecloses immediate judicial scrutiny of the contested party processes but does not necessarily bar political resolutions within party organs.
For the APC in Cross River State, the development is seen as a significant step toward calming internal tensions that have persisted since the dissolution of the disputed executive.
As the party moves forward, stakeholders say the emphasis will likely shift to reconciliation, membership revalidation, and consolidation ahead of future political engagements.
With the court action withdrawn and interim orders relinquished, attention now turns to how effectively the APC leadership will manage post-dispute unity in the state.
The episode underscores the continuing role of internal democracy, legal frameworks, and negotiated compromise in managing party politics within Nigeria’s multiparty system.
